Arrow: Talia al Ghul Backstory Revealed in ‘Second Chances’ Synopsis

For the last four and a half years, one of the most important elements of Arrow has been the flashbacks to the five years when Oliver Queen was missing after a shipwreck. He was found on the island of Lian Yu, and that is where everyone assumed he spent his lost time – however, that was not entirely true. After two years on the island, Ollie found himself in Hong Kong, before being returned to the island, all at the whim of Amanda Waller and A.R.G.U.S. In the fifth year of his time away from Starling (now Star) City, Ollie went to Russia, to fulfill a promise.

In Russia, Ollie has so far joined the criminal Bratva organization in order to achieve his goal of killing crime boss Konstantin Kovar. His plan has not worked very well, Ollie was captured by Kovar and tortured for a week before discovering that the Bratva and Kovar had made an alliance of sorts, and would not help Ollie in his quest.

In the upcoming 11th episode of season 5, ‘Second Chances,’ it sounds like Ollie will get another opportunity to go after Kover, with some help from Talia al Ghul. But the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul might not be the person you want to owe a favor to. Read the full synopsis here:

TALIA AL GHUL TAKES OLIVER UNDER HER WING — In his quest to take down Kovar, Oliver (Stephen Amell) gets help from a surprising source – Talia al Ghul (guest star Lexa Doig). However, when she reveals what she wants from him in exchange, Oliver isn’t sure he can accept her help. Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) attempts to hack the NSA to help free Diggle (David Ramsey) but when her online efforts are flagged, she faces off against an unknown adversary. Meanwhile, Curtis (Echo Kellum) tells the team about a female vigilante, Tina Boland (guest star Juliana Harkavay), he uncovered online who has been wreaking havoc all over the country.

Sounds like there is plenty happening for Ollie in the present as well as the past, if Felicity is in trouble and there is another out-of-control vigilante on the loose. Between Ollie’s former persona as The Hood, his history with Huntress, and his current team of recruits, Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity at least have some experience with reckless vigilantes. When it comes to the NSA though, they may be in over their heads.

As for Talia al Ghul, Ollie’s experiences with her sister Nyssa in the present have shown the audience how much trouble a daughter of the demon can be. A lesson Ollie probably learned first from Talia, as we will soon see.

Arrow season 5 returns to The CW with ‘Who Are You?’ on Wednesday, January 25 at 8pm.